Snow closes U.S. 93, traps motorists, bus passengers

As many as 60 vehicles, including a bus carrying about 80 people, were trapped on U.S. 93 between Pioche, NV, and Ely, NV, overnight due to snow.

Lincoln County Sheriff Kerry Lee said the stretch of the highway was closed about 3 p.m. Thursday, trapping cars and the bus full of people. Authorities said about 40 people on the bus were rescued Thursday night, but the remaining passengers onboard had to wait until Friday morning to be freed.

Lee said some people were stranded on the roadway for 12 to 14 hours.

The sheriff said other people were being removed from vehicles with the use of snowcats and being brought to nearby churches and schools.

Motorists heading towards the closed roadway were being diverted just north of Alamo, NV, at Crystal Junction through Highway 318, the sheriff said.

Nevada Highway Patrol was called to assist the closures and rescues.

The location is about three hours away from the Las Vegas Valley along extreme eastern Nevada.